KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has confirmed that the active phase of the search and rescue operation at the collapsed temple in Verulam, north of Durban, will conclude once the South African Police Service (SAPS) verifies that the site has been fully cleared.
Five bodies have been recovered so far, following more than two days of intensive work by specialised technical teams who have been carefully removing multiple layers of debris at the scene.
Site to Be Handed Over for Investigation
Once SAPS confirms that no further victims remain under the rubble, the site will be formally handed over to the Department of Labour to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the collapse.
The department has already issued a prohibition notice, instructing the owner of the structure not to enter, alter or interfere with the site in any way until investigations are complete.
Premier Meets Affected Families
Premier Ntuli visited the site on Sunday, where he met with the families of those who lost their lives. He indicated that the provincial government would assess how best to provide additional support to the affected families during this period.
Authorities are seeking to establish whether the collapse was the result of structural failures, negligence during construction, or professional misconduct. This includes determining whether engineers involved in the project were appropriately qualified and whether all building standards were properly adhered to.
The investigation’s findings are expected to bring clarity on accountability and help prevent similar incidents in the future.
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